The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-06-30
An Interesting Letter from California.

Oy nlS SOD, Mr. waiter .. RANT, VINO IL
now sUourning in California. Thinking
that it would prove interesting to our
readers, we have been permitted to pub
lish it:
SAN DIEGO, CAL, June 2, 1887.
Dear Father; We left Tacoma on the
morning of the 10Th, reached Portland
at2 p. M, and left there at S p. m. same
day. I had time enough to see some.
thing Of the city, and found it quite a
lively place of about 10000 population.
The country from Dugal Sound to the
Columbia River is of a samenees, mostly
heavily timbered but some prairie lands.
The latter is used for sheep range princi-
pally. Portland is on the Willamette
River, eight miles from where it empties
into the Columbia. The largest ocean
steamers find no trouble in getting there,
and it is the metropolis of the Northwest.
The Willamette valley, extending south
ward from Portland, is fine farming
country, but it rains there about as much
as on the Sound.
In extreme southern Oregon is Roger
River, and the valley lies nicely and is a
fine farming ana fruit country. l was
told land from the absence of moss on
the trees and houses and from general
appearances 1 believe) that they have no
excessive rainfall there. Land is worth
SIS to $50 per acre, and is very produc.
tive. As yet they can ship their stuff
but one way, northward to Portland, but
in short while they will have all.rail
connection with northern California. A
great many mines in the mountains ad-
joining are being worked, and this creates
pretty good home market.
at Ashland we took the stage for 20
miles over the Siskiyan mountains.
There were thirty three passengers in our
crowd, and there were three stages, with
six horses each. All the men in the
party walked up the mountain, as we
could go faster than the stage, but We
came down at break-neck speed, and over
the toughest road imaginable. We did
not feel very safe during the descent, and
further, it was all we could do to keep
ourselves and the children inside the
stage. We were very tired and felt
greatly relieved when We reached the
cars on the California side. On this gap,
between the Oregon and California termi-
nal points, are at work six thousand Chi
nese, and the way seemed to belined
with them. 1t is expected the road will
be completed late this Fall. For many
miles, after leaving the stage, we had a
fine view of Mt. Shasta. 1t was covered
with snow, but is not as grand aight as
Mt. Tacoma.
The third morning found us in the
Sacramento Valley, near John B. Moore's
home, and we reached San Francisco at
IL a. M. As it happened We got off on a
boat at 2 p. N. same day. We landed at
San Louis Abispa, Santa Barbara, San
Pedra, and then here at z p. M. Of the
23rd, having been on the way FIVE days
and four nights: We got to housekeep-
ing on the third day after.our arrival.
Houses are in great demand, owing to
the boom, and we pay s25 per month for
Is four. room house on 251240 feet lot,
butit is in good locality and near to
business.
This is indeed a fine climate, never
very warm or very cold, and most always
sunshine. Blankets are used the year
round, and, even now in June, great
many people are to be seen on the streets
with their oyercoats on. In fact, see
oyercoats and linen, busters at the same
fine, and also ladies in white and others
with fur cloaks. I presume the style is
TO wear what you have got. The water
comes from the San Diego River, and is
not very good, but in few months the
city willshave water from the mountains,
and they say it will be as good as they
have anywhere. San Diego is on great
boom, and everything is lively. Good
business lots are worth $1,000 per front
foot, and where elive, FIVE blocks away,
lots are worth 800 per front foot. A
vast amount of building is going on, and
mechanics find ready employment at
good wages. The city is full of visitors
and new comers, and the hotels are
crowded. Business of allkind is rushing,
and every one who has a start seems to
be making money. Twosyears ago this
was sleepy town of $500 people, and
now it has $4,000 or more. Fortunes
have been made by real estate specula.
tors, and they Sc em to be having a pic mic
yet. Speaking of real estate brokers',
will just here mention that they have an
Exchange composed Of one hundred
members, and there are at least that
many on the outside. San Diego has
electric lights. water works and an extern
sive street railway system, both horse
power and steam motors being used.
The town lies very prettily, and it will
be a,lovely place as soon as the people
have time 10 decorate the grounds around
their homes. There is never any frost
here, and geraniums grow outdoors to the
height of 10 to 20 feet. Oranges, lem.
ons, figs, &C., thrive here. The principal
shade trees see are Australian gum and
black pepper: Thearainfall is not suHi.
cient. and irrigation has to be resorted to
both in raising vegetables and fruit. The
back country is said not to be the best in
the world, but I. have not been out any
ways yet. The hills back of town look
barren. The Santa Fe, the first and only
railroad, reached here abou. two years
ago. l think the climate is principally